Perhaps they might consider improving the labelling of their non-medicinal ingredients. . . . especially because people taking their product are more likely to have food allergies than the general population.

The source of the "starch" is not specified on the label. (the company representative tells me that the batch I had at least contained corn starch rather than wheat.)

Based on the label, I wouldn't have guessed that soy is an issue. But reactine does contain soy. The company representative also told me that it contains "legumes" . . .I'm assuming that the legume in question is in fact soy, but the company representative wasn't sure.

(I read the forum rules---was that restrained enough, Karen Great forum idea by the way!)

How senior was the "company representative"? Had he/she checked with the co.'s chemists or or how did the person conclude that the pills contain soy and legumes (and which ones of those)?

What kind of soy are we talking about - hydrolyzed, lecithin? Not everyone who's allergic to soy reacts to highly processed soy.

I've used Reactine - and am soy allergic. I was told to use it by the allergist who diagnosed me. Now I'm just confused.

I'm going to contact Reactine for an official statement on the ingredients. I don't feel comfortable with deciding to avoid a drug based on an unnamed company spokesman. (Welcome to what editors are like - we always demand proof )

Gwen, I just talked to the person who picks up the phone when you call the number on the package. I got the impression that he was getting the info. off of a preprepared sheet . . . he didn't say which ingredient contained soy or legumes. He didn't know whether "contains legumes" and "contains soy" was repetitive . . .all he had was a limited amount of info.

I was surprised too---my allergist had suggested I take reactine once too . . .he also recommended that I avoid soy in all forms.

My own sense though is that I'm okay with some forms of soy in minute amounts. I haven't reacted to reactine---in spite of the fact that I *am* allergic to corn starch.

I'll be interested to hear what you find out.

Last edited by Helen on Tue Mar 06, 2007 11:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Hi, I waited for quite a while for an answer from Johnson and Johnson, owners of Reactine. Then I got it about a week and a half ago, was on a deadline and cold forgot to post the response. Helen, my apologies!

From Johnson and Johnson's Manager of Drug Information and Safety:

I can confirm that the starch used in Reactine tablets is corn starch.

We have checked into the formulation and ingredients used in Reactine tablets and can confirm that these formulations do not contain soy.

We are looking into and addressing any issues in order to ensure that accurate information is made available to our consumer specialists. As new allergies surface it is often challenging to bring allergen information on older products up to date. However, we appreciate that individuals who have allergies require accurate allergen information.

By "consumer specialists," I believe she means the people who handle customer service calls.

I'm not sure manufacturers are aware of how much corn allergies appear to be on the rise. I think if they knew they'd warn people. If you wish to write them a letter, the address is: 88 McNabb Street, Markham, ON L3R 5L2

They did tell me about the corn starch. . . I haven't had severe reactions to corn, and I don't react noticeably to the little bit of corn starch in Reactine, so I'm okay with it. Between corn and wheat starch, corn is the lesser of the two evils.

It is a pain to deal with companies when it comes to corn allergies. For example, I called President's Choice to ask about whether their rice milk contains corn-derived ingredients. They said they don't have any info. on corn. I asked them what they would advise people with corn allergies to do. the answer: "read the ingredients!" I explained that there are a lot of corn-derived ingredients aren't there that don't include the word "corn" and that the vitamins in the milk could be corn-derived. I might just try the rice milk anyways.

I wish the CFIA would protect *all people* with allergies . . . not just those with the top 8.

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